New and I could use your input
Angel
Hi. My name is Angel and I am new to the group and more so new to
the concept of "unschooling." Truthfully I have no idea what it is
really is. I am a former school teacher who now is a SAHM. I love
it! I have a wonderful four year old boy and I started his day like
I would if he were in a pre-k classroom. I had lesson plans and
materials ready to enrich his world. Well, my son was not having
it. I am NOT a ditto or workbook kind of mommy or teacher. The
activities I provided were based on interest and a variety of
materials-play-doh, paint, dirt, etc. But any effort I made seemed
to be shot down by my son. So, I thought okay I will allow my boy
to pick out the book when it is story time, I will allow him to pick
the songs to sing, and material to use, but the schedule to do these
activities will remain the same as before. Well, that does not seem
to be working either. So, one day I just let him do his own thing
and I was there to be his mommy, playmate, and resource whenever he
needed me. AND GUESS WHAT- I observed so much learning and
excitement from my little boy. I was told that this is a form of
unschooling, is it???? I have some more info I have included and I
could sure use your advice. I do not want to teach my son based on
my "teaching degree." I want to teach my son to develop a love for
learning that would be in the best of his interest. Thanks.
Ok, I have had wonderful answers about how you do it. But now I
would love to know and for us to share; What do you do? Ok, I am
allowing my son's learning and activities to be based on his
interests. I have set up a routine schedule. For example: In the
morning we will do story time and he picks out the story. During
another part of the day it is sensory time and my boy picks out the
sensory activity. Although, he has the freedom to pick out the book
or activity, he may not be motivated at that time to do it. Well, It
is not working for me. I redo the schedule and I reschedule all the
activities and you know what it keeps changing. It was so much
easier being a classroom teacher. I thought having a routine chart
would work and provide structured. However, my son may not be
physically and mentally ready for that activity during that specific
time of day. He is a YOUNG four year old. Do you have this
problem? Alright moms, I need your advice and input. My son is very
well behaved and is responsible about helping around the home and
being considerate of others, but should I just do story time when
he picks up a book and says, "mommy, please read this story to me?"
Should I completely just let my son flow throughout the day as long
as learning and teaching responsibility occurs? Should the
activities happen based on spontaneous learning? Moms, it would be
nice to know how it works for you. I do not want the "loving-
control" part of me to come before the natural interest of my son.
Am I making any sense?????
the concept of "unschooling." Truthfully I have no idea what it is
really is. I am a former school teacher who now is a SAHM. I love
it! I have a wonderful four year old boy and I started his day like
I would if he were in a pre-k classroom. I had lesson plans and
materials ready to enrich his world. Well, my son was not having
it. I am NOT a ditto or workbook kind of mommy or teacher. The
activities I provided were based on interest and a variety of
materials-play-doh, paint, dirt, etc. But any effort I made seemed
to be shot down by my son. So, I thought okay I will allow my boy
to pick out the book when it is story time, I will allow him to pick
the songs to sing, and material to use, but the schedule to do these
activities will remain the same as before. Well, that does not seem
to be working either. So, one day I just let him do his own thing
and I was there to be his mommy, playmate, and resource whenever he
needed me. AND GUESS WHAT- I observed so much learning and
excitement from my little boy. I was told that this is a form of
unschooling, is it???? I have some more info I have included and I
could sure use your advice. I do not want to teach my son based on
my "teaching degree." I want to teach my son to develop a love for
learning that would be in the best of his interest. Thanks.
Ok, I have had wonderful answers about how you do it. But now I
would love to know and for us to share; What do you do? Ok, I am
allowing my son's learning and activities to be based on his
interests. I have set up a routine schedule. For example: In the
morning we will do story time and he picks out the story. During
another part of the day it is sensory time and my boy picks out the
sensory activity. Although, he has the freedom to pick out the book
or activity, he may not be motivated at that time to do it. Well, It
is not working for me. I redo the schedule and I reschedule all the
activities and you know what it keeps changing. It was so much
easier being a classroom teacher. I thought having a routine chart
would work and provide structured. However, my son may not be
physically and mentally ready for that activity during that specific
time of day. He is a YOUNG four year old. Do you have this
problem? Alright moms, I need your advice and input. My son is very
well behaved and is responsible about helping around the home and
being considerate of others, but should I just do story time when
he picks up a book and says, "mommy, please read this story to me?"
Should I completely just let my son flow throughout the day as long
as learning and teaching responsibility occurs? Should the
activities happen based on spontaneous learning? Moms, it would be
nice to know how it works for you. I do not want the "loving-
control" part of me to come before the natural interest of my son.
Am I making any sense?????
Sandra Dodd
-=-...new to
the concept of "unschooling." Truthfully I have no idea what it is
really is.-=-
Then the first thing for you to do is to read about unschooling!
http://sandradodd.com/unschool/definition.html
http://sandradodd.com/seeingit
http://sandradodd.com/beginning
http://sandradodd.com/new
That might look like it's all my writing, but it's not. It's just
all in my ever-expanding collection of good-parts.
When you post, please break your writing into paragraphs so that
those who might read and help you out aren't inconvenienced. It will
not only be a courtesy, it will help you with the clarity of your own
thinking, if you can look at what you've written and group it into
topics or sections. Clarity will make or break unschooling.
-=-. So, one day I just let him do his own thing
and I was there to be his mommy, playmate, and resource whenever he
needed me. AND GUESS WHAT- I observed so much learning and
excitement from my little boy. I was told that this is a form of
unschooling, is it????-=-
It's not "a form," but it was one big clue for you, wasn't it?
Learning happens without teaching. Teaching can hamper learning, in
fact, and can eventually kill the desire to learn, or the natural
ability to learn confidently and freely.
-=-I have set up a routine schedule.-=-
That won't help anything.
-=-During another part of the day it is sensory time and my boy picks
out the
sensory activity. -=-
Every part of every day is "sensory time."
Would you build an assembly line to make one automobile?
-=-Alright moms, I need your advice and input. -=-
You need the advice and input of unschoolers, whether moms, dads or
kids.
-=-However, my son may not be
physically and mentally ready for that activity during that specific
time of day. He is a YOUNG four year old. Do you have this
problem? -=-
The problem of having a young child? A four year old? The problem
of scheduling when scheduling won't help?
-=-Should I completely just let my son flow throughout the day as long
as learning and teaching responsibility occurs?-=-
If "teaching responsibility" is making you feel better, cling to it.
It won't help you unschool.
Here's something to read about teaching and learning:
http://sandradodd.com/wordswords
-=-Should the
activities happen based on spontaneous learning?-=-
NO.
Activities shouldn't happen based on spontaneous learning. That is a
WHOLE lot of words and ideas and ownership to put between yourself
and your very real and immediate child.
Learning can and will happen and your responsibility should be not
preventing it, by basing activities on real, natural, spontaneous
learning.
-=-I do not want the "loving-
control" part of me to come before the natural interest of my son.
Am I making any sense?????-=-
Mainstream, confused sense, but not unschooling sense.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
the concept of "unschooling." Truthfully I have no idea what it is
really is.-=-
Then the first thing for you to do is to read about unschooling!
http://sandradodd.com/unschool/definition.html
http://sandradodd.com/seeingit
http://sandradodd.com/beginning
http://sandradodd.com/new
That might look like it's all my writing, but it's not. It's just
all in my ever-expanding collection of good-parts.
When you post, please break your writing into paragraphs so that
those who might read and help you out aren't inconvenienced. It will
not only be a courtesy, it will help you with the clarity of your own
thinking, if you can look at what you've written and group it into
topics or sections. Clarity will make or break unschooling.
-=-. So, one day I just let him do his own thing
and I was there to be his mommy, playmate, and resource whenever he
needed me. AND GUESS WHAT- I observed so much learning and
excitement from my little boy. I was told that this is a form of
unschooling, is it????-=-
It's not "a form," but it was one big clue for you, wasn't it?
Learning happens without teaching. Teaching can hamper learning, in
fact, and can eventually kill the desire to learn, or the natural
ability to learn confidently and freely.
-=-I have set up a routine schedule.-=-
That won't help anything.
-=-During another part of the day it is sensory time and my boy picks
out the
sensory activity. -=-
Every part of every day is "sensory time."
Would you build an assembly line to make one automobile?
-=-Alright moms, I need your advice and input. -=-
You need the advice and input of unschoolers, whether moms, dads or
kids.
-=-However, my son may not be
physically and mentally ready for that activity during that specific
time of day. He is a YOUNG four year old. Do you have this
problem? -=-
The problem of having a young child? A four year old? The problem
of scheduling when scheduling won't help?
-=-Should I completely just let my son flow throughout the day as long
as learning and teaching responsibility occurs?-=-
If "teaching responsibility" is making you feel better, cling to it.
It won't help you unschool.
Here's something to read about teaching and learning:
http://sandradodd.com/wordswords
-=-Should the
activities happen based on spontaneous learning?-=-
NO.
Activities shouldn't happen based on spontaneous learning. That is a
WHOLE lot of words and ideas and ownership to put between yourself
and your very real and immediate child.
Learning can and will happen and your responsibility should be not
preventing it, by basing activities on real, natural, spontaneous
learning.
-=-I do not want the "loving-
control" part of me to come before the natural interest of my son.
Am I making any sense?????-=-
Mainstream, confused sense, but not unschooling sense.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
I would say that the part of your post where you discussed how much your son
enjoyed it when you just let go and stepped back in order to give him room
to do what he wanted was a big first step towards unschooling. In your post,
it sounded as if you realized that, but then you lapsed back into routines
and structure. I know that some people who are new to the idea of unschooling
see it as an easy, almost lazy approach to parenting. They are overwhelmed
with thoughts of all the things their children will not be getting. The truth
is that unschooling is often far more difficult on the parent than teaching
would be. It's hard to relinquish control. It's hard to trust your children
to know what they want and need. It shouldn't be, but sometimes it is. You
should read plenty about unschooling and lurk here for a while in order to
get a feel for what unschooling really is (and isn't). In the meantime, while
you soak up all you can, keep in mind how your son blossomed when you put
his day into his own hands. Let the contentment that you saw and how it made
you feel be your focus. You have a wonderful opportunity to give your son a
life of freedom and of choice. Believe me, learning will happen on its own.
You've made a great first step. Don't let fear and your own conditioning
make you doubt the joy you witnessed first hand when you allowed your child
the freedom to choose how he spent his day. A happy child will be your reward.
Good luck.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
enjoyed it when you just let go and stepped back in order to give him room
to do what he wanted was a big first step towards unschooling. In your post,
it sounded as if you realized that, but then you lapsed back into routines
and structure. I know that some people who are new to the idea of unschooling
see it as an easy, almost lazy approach to parenting. They are overwhelmed
with thoughts of all the things their children will not be getting. The truth
is that unschooling is often far more difficult on the parent than teaching
would be. It's hard to relinquish control. It's hard to trust your children
to know what they want and need. It shouldn't be, but sometimes it is. You
should read plenty about unschooling and lurk here for a while in order to
get a feel for what unschooling really is (and isn't). In the meantime, while
you soak up all you can, keep in mind how your son blossomed when you put
his day into his own hands. Let the contentment that you saw and how it made
you feel be your focus. You have a wonderful opportunity to give your son a
life of freedom and of choice. Believe me, learning will happen on its own.
You've made a great first step. Don't let fear and your own conditioning
make you doubt the joy you witnessed first hand when you allowed your child
the freedom to choose how he spent his day. A happy child will be your reward.
Good luck.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Vida
Hi everybody!
I have a few questions on online games. First of all, is Runescape a
sim game and if not/so then what is a sim game?
My dreamlets (7) and I were looking for a game like Age of Mythology
but with horses instead. We found lots of them, but they all seemed
to be old and not played anymore. Then I found one that wants to
filter out newbies like us saying that if you've never played or if
your too young you should go elsewhere. I then checked out runescape
and when it asked us to open an account it asked our age. I
appropriately said 13 and under and got chucked out of their lobby!
I tried to go back but they said "we meant it". So even if I (42)
want to play I can't because somehow my computer, or IP address has
been registered on their system.
My dreamlets do pretty well with Age of Mythology and have learned so
much. My one dreamlet plays all the time and progresses in leaps and
bounds. But she LOVES horses, and the Barbie's Horse Adventure just
doesn't cut it anymore.
Any ideas??? If not horsey games, then any fun games will do. Thanks!
Vida
www.livingtheodyssey.blogspot.com
www.aegeanliving.com
I have a few questions on online games. First of all, is Runescape a
sim game and if not/so then what is a sim game?
My dreamlets (7) and I were looking for a game like Age of Mythology
but with horses instead. We found lots of them, but they all seemed
to be old and not played anymore. Then I found one that wants to
filter out newbies like us saying that if you've never played or if
your too young you should go elsewhere. I then checked out runescape
and when it asked us to open an account it asked our age. I
appropriately said 13 and under and got chucked out of their lobby!
I tried to go back but they said "we meant it". So even if I (42)
want to play I can't because somehow my computer, or IP address has
been registered on their system.
My dreamlets do pretty well with Age of Mythology and have learned so
much. My one dreamlet plays all the time and progresses in leaps and
bounds. But she LOVES horses, and the Barbie's Horse Adventure just
doesn't cut it anymore.
Any ideas??? If not horsey games, then any fun games will do. Thanks!
Vida
www.livingtheodyssey.blogspot.com
www.aegeanliving.com
Angel
--- thank you
A happy child will be your reward.
A happy child will be your reward.
> Good luck.
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
cyrusnmayasmama
>Hi Vida -
> My dreamlets do pretty well with Age of Mythology and have learned so
> much. My one dreamlet plays all the time and progresses in leaps and
> bounds. But she LOVES horses, and the Barbie's Horse Adventure just
> doesn't cut it anymore.
>
> Any ideas??? If not horsey games, then any fun games will do. Thanks!
>
> Vida
> www.livingtheodyssey.blogspot.com
> www.aegeanliving.com
>
My DD 7 recommends bellasara.com and horseland.com for free horse games. Bellasara
has trading cards you can buy and then register the horses that you get to add to you
stable, but you can play there without the cards with the horse they give you.
DS 9 also plays lots of Age of Mythology and would love to play Runescape but we have
never had any luck getting started there either no matter what we put for a birthday.
Bummer!
Good luck - Alyse
riasplace3
--- In [email protected], "Angel" <aavery2121@...> wrote:
I have set up a routine schedule. For example: In the
> morning we will do story time and he picks out the story. During
> another part of the day it is sensory time and my boy picks out the
> sensory activity.
But if there's something more interesting going on, then what? Do
you stop playing with leggoes to read, when he's happily building
things? Suppose he wants to read, but you're planning on playing in
the mud...would you *make* him play in the mud?
Do you take weekends *off* from *school*? Suppose something
interesting comes up on Saturday...does it have to wait until Monday,
when you can ask if he's still interested and wants to look into it
more?
This morning (Saturday) my younger dd was looking out the window
watching the snow...she saw a white-tailed deer in the field across
from our house. "Mom,mom, look! A deer!" She saw several
birds..."Look! a cardinal!...What's those little brown birds that's
all over the place called?...Look at this one, it's black with red
and white...what is it?" I took time from what I was doing to look
at a deer, to identify house wrens, to look up a black, white and red
bird online (eastern towhee), and marvel over the size of a deer's
tail.
When LIVING is learning is living, there isn't a reason for schedules
and routines. I COULD call it science and make a note of it, but I
think instead I'll just enjoy it, as it flows.
I don't know if this will help you answer any of your
questions...just my 2 cents, but really, go to Sandra's site and
search around and read about how unschooling works IRL. I've been
reading at her site for MONTHS now, and am not nearly finished. I
usually only have time for a page or 2 a day, but it's FASCINATING to
read about their lives. (And the lives of those others' she
references)
I hope this helps...sometimes it's helpful to know it IS working in
other people's lives.
Ria
Sandra Dodd
-=-...just my 2 cents, but really, go to Sandra's site and
search around and read about how unschooling works IRL-=-
http://sandradodd.com/typical
Lots of families' days described.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
search around and read about how unschooling works IRL-=-
http://sandradodd.com/typical
Lots of families' days described.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Pamela Sorooshian
John Holt in "What Do I Do Monday?"
"There is no difference between living and learning...it is
impossible and misleading and harmful to think of them as being
separate."
"There is no difference between living and learning...it is
impossible and misleading and harmful to think of them as being
separate."
On Feb 17, 2007, at 12:12 PM, riasplace3 wrote:
> But if there's something more interesting going on, then what? Do
> you stop playing with leggoes to read, when he's happily building
> things? Suppose he wants to read, but you're planning on playing in
> the mud...would you *make* him play in the mud?
> Do you take weekends *off* from *school*? Suppose something
> interesting comes up on Saturday...does it have to wait until Monday,
> when you can ask if he's still interested and wants to look into it
> more?
-pam
Unschooling shirts, cups, bumper stickers, bags...
Live Love Learn
UNSCHOOL!
<http://www.cafepress.com/livelovelearn>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Therese
Welcome Angel! I am very much like you... new to unschooling, mommy
to young children and former teacher. I very much wanted
to 'structure' my 3 y.o's day because that is what I was taught to do
as a preschool teacher and also as a 2nd and 1st grade teacher.
I ran into the same problems and more. When it was 'time' to do
reading, there was no way I was going to interupt her block building
time, and when she was reading, there was no way I was going to stop
her just to tell her that its 'time' to do art. And sometimes
reading would happen all day and no art would get done, and other
days all she wants to do is art and no reading will get done; and I
had to LET GO of my expectations and learn that SHE knows the best
way that SHE learns.
Not to mention that the AAP came out with a new study that emphasises
the importance of play- Free, unstructured, unscheduled play time is
ESSENTIAL for social, emotional, and cognitive development!
http://www.aap.org/pressroom/play-public.htm
Reading that study just confirmed to me what I already knew in my
heart and helped me let go of my own schedules in favor of hers.
I read an eye opening speech by John Taylor Gatto (his teacher of the
year acceptance speech) that talked about how children's focus is
made to be shortened by school bells that ring at arbitrary times so
children have to stop what they are doing and go to the next class.
(Think pavlov's dogs and his bells) All of this 'school' type of
stucture is really only to move the MASSES of children in a way that
works for the school, not for the best interest of the individual
child. So why would I try to emulate that at home?
I am still learning about unschooling, like you. If you want, you
can also email me personally if you would like to chat.
Therese
Play-at-home mama to Sarah (3) and Annie (soon-to-be 1)
to young children and former teacher. I very much wanted
to 'structure' my 3 y.o's day because that is what I was taught to do
as a preschool teacher and also as a 2nd and 1st grade teacher.
I ran into the same problems and more. When it was 'time' to do
reading, there was no way I was going to interupt her block building
time, and when she was reading, there was no way I was going to stop
her just to tell her that its 'time' to do art. And sometimes
reading would happen all day and no art would get done, and other
days all she wants to do is art and no reading will get done; and I
had to LET GO of my expectations and learn that SHE knows the best
way that SHE learns.
Not to mention that the AAP came out with a new study that emphasises
the importance of play- Free, unstructured, unscheduled play time is
ESSENTIAL for social, emotional, and cognitive development!
http://www.aap.org/pressroom/play-public.htm
Reading that study just confirmed to me what I already knew in my
heart and helped me let go of my own schedules in favor of hers.
I read an eye opening speech by John Taylor Gatto (his teacher of the
year acceptance speech) that talked about how children's focus is
made to be shortened by school bells that ring at arbitrary times so
children have to stop what they are doing and go to the next class.
(Think pavlov's dogs and his bells) All of this 'school' type of
stucture is really only to move the MASSES of children in a way that
works for the school, not for the best interest of the individual
child. So why would I try to emulate that at home?
I am still learning about unschooling, like you. If you want, you
can also email me personally if you would like to chat.
Therese
Play-at-home mama to Sarah (3) and Annie (soon-to-be 1)
--- In [email protected], "Angel" <aavery2121@...> wrote:
>
> Hi. My name is Angel and I am new to the group and more so new to
> the concept of "unschooling." Truthfully I have no idea what it is
> really is. I am a former school teacher who now is a SAHM. I love
> it! I have a wonderful four year old boy and I started his day
like
> I would if he were in a pre-k classroom. I had lesson plans and
> materials ready to enrich his world. Well, my son was not having
> it. I am NOT a ditto or workbook kind of mommy or teacher. The
> activities I provided were based on interest and a variety of
> materials-play-doh, paint, dirt, etc. But any effort I made
seemed
> to be shot down by my son. So, I thought okay I will allow my boy
> to pick out the book when it is story time, I will allow him to
pick
> the songs to sing, and material to use, but the schedule to do
these
> activities will remain the same as before. Well, that does not
seem
> to be working either. So, one day I just let him do his own thing
> and I was there to be his mommy, playmate, and resource whenever he
> needed me. AND GUESS WHAT- I observed so much learning and
> excitement from my little boy. I was told that this is a form of
> unschooling, is it???? I have some more info I have included and I
> could sure use your advice. I do not want to teach my son based on
> my "teaching degree." I want to teach my son to develop a love for
> learning that would be in the best of his interest. Thanks.
> Ok, I have had wonderful answers about how you do it. But now I
> would love to know and for us to share; What do you do? Ok, I am
> allowing my son's learning and activities to be based on his
> interests. I have set up a routine schedule. For example: In the
> morning we will do story time and he picks out the story. During
> another part of the day it is sensory time and my boy picks out the
> sensory activity. Although, he has the freedom to pick out the
book
> or activity, he may not be motivated at that time to do it. Well,
It
> is not working for me. I redo the schedule and I reschedule all the
> activities and you know what it keeps changing. It was so much
> easier being a classroom teacher. I thought having a routine chart
> would work and provide structured. However, my son may not be
> physically and mentally ready for that activity during that
specific
> time of day. He is a YOUNG four year old. Do you have this
> problem? Alright moms, I need your advice and input. My son is
very
> well behaved and is responsible about helping around the home and
> being considerate of others, but should I just do story time when
> he picks up a book and says, "mommy, please read this story to me?"
> Should I completely just let my son flow throughout the day as long
> as learning and teaching responsibility occurs? Should the
> activities happen based on spontaneous learning? Moms, it would be
> nice to know how it works for you. I do not want the "loving-
> control" part of me to come before the natural interest of my son.
> Am I making any sense?????
>
Sandra Dodd
-=-I very much wanted
to 'structure' my 3 y.o's day because that is what I was taught to do
as a preschool teacher and also as a 2nd and 1st grade teacher. -=-
That structure was intended to keep order and provide record-keeping
in a group situation, though.
It's assembly-line teaching, and has MUCH less to do with learning
than with control.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
to 'structure' my 3 y.o's day because that is what I was taught to do
as a preschool teacher and also as a 2nd and 1st grade teacher. -=-
That structure was intended to keep order and provide record-keeping
in a group situation, though.
It's assembly-line teaching, and has MUCH less to do with learning
than with control.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]